Posted by Teresa Cheng in asian, fruit and vegetables on September 28, 2008 at 5:16 pm

It’s not uncommon to be afraid of the unknown or unfamiliar. And foods from cultures different from one’s own are no exception. With Toronto being made up of numerous regional and cultural communities, we regularly cross paths with regionally-specific foods that we may not be familiar with, even if we’re just taking the streetcar through, say, Chinatown.

An integral part of Toronto’s cultural and economic landscape, Chinatown is full of foods that are new to many people. Without knowing what's what, shopping there can be a daunting task. I have picked some common and easily accessible fruits and vegetables found at shops in the neighbourhood that are probably unfamiliar to many, to explain and demystify.

Posted by Teresa Cheng in beverages, coffee on August 31, 2008 at 4:40 pm

I had thought that moving to the big city of Toronto would allow me access to a plethora of independent, local cafés. Having now lived in the city for four months, I have come to realize that Toronto is actually dominated by corporate coffee-selling chains. I’m talking about those ever-present coffee stops that do just one thing – sell poor quality caffeine. But my friends and I, all of whom are students, are looking for more than just that. We’re looking for an environment that nurtures our academic sides, while at the same time, provides us with top-quality coffee.

With most university and college classes starting in a week, it’s time to start marking our studying and writing territory at the small number of local cafés in the city. The standards students have for cafés that are conducive for studying and writing is high. This includes excellent coffee (to help stay awake without the nasty after-taste of poor quality coffee), wireless internet (for research purposes and procrastination), bright lighting (the amount of reading that piles up week after week is mind-boggling) and atmosphere (one which encourages effective writing and studying).

Posted by Teresa Cheng in chinese, restaurant review on August 6, 2008 at 8:06 am

Chinese Traditional Buns
536 Dundas Street West
416-299-9011
Dinner for two with all taxes, tip and tea: $29 (cash only)

There must be something right about meat wrapped in carbs. Most cultures have a variation on the combo, ranging from Ukrainian to Mongolian to Italian. And the Chinese, particularly the northeastern Chinese, are no different. Right in the heart of Chinatown is Chinese Traditional Buns, tucked away unimpressively in the basement of a building, where a taste of northern Chinese cuisine can be had, if you know where to find it.

The atmosphere at Chinese Traditional Buns is similar to many of the delicious, immigrant-owned restaurants in the city – sparsely decorated, florescent-lit and bare boned. Rather than discouraging me from dining there, the characteristics of the restaurant made me even more excited about my culinary excursion because these are pretty reliable signs of good-tasting, large-portioned and reasonably-priced regional cuisine. However, do not be fooled by the restaurant's name - the fare and selection go far beyond just buns.

Posted by Teresa Cheng in fruit and vegetables, grow your own on July 9, 2008 at 7:35 am

It all started with a small parsley plant a little girl grew in a cup. That little parsley plant was the foreshadowing of a community garden plot, a thriving rooftop garden and a head full of gardening knowledge. And that little girl was Gayla Trail, now an urban gardening advocate, crafty gal, and author of the popular gardening and project book, You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening. Earning quite a big name in the local gardening scene, Trail was asked to talk about several issues such as the ways an urban Torontonian can start gardening, the benefits of community gardening, and whether or not she thought the rise of interest in sustainability was just a trend.

Posted by Teresa Cheng in bakeries, pastries, restaurant profile on June 11, 2008 at 7:20 am

Wanda’s Pie In the Sky
287 Augusta Avenue
416-236-7585

Kensington Market, a familiar and comforting gathering spot for folks of all stripes, is now home to the relocated Wanda’s Pie in the Sky, a shop that serves up equally comforting foods like pies, pastries and tarts. With Kensington's array of cuisines, it only seems right that a pie shop would make itself at home there.